Contract support - Wargame support

Description

1. Introduction Allied Command Transformation (ACT)’s Experimentation and Wargaming Branch (EWB) has been directed to lead NATO’s Audacious Wargaming effort. Audacious wargaming enables NATO’s competitive edge today and into the future with an ethos of creation, discovery, and exploitation of opportunities in a safe-to-fail environment. These efforts require analytical rigor to inform decision-making at all levels. Historically, NATO wargaming has consisted of uncoordinated individual events conducted by ad-hoc teams. Nations and key leaders now recognize the importance of a coordinated and professional NATO wargaming capability as a critical enabler for future warfare development. Development of the Audacious Wargaming capability will facilitate the cultivation of a mind-set of challenging assumptions, determining risk, and encouraging decisive action at all levels of war through the practical application of wargaming in a safe-to-fail environment. Fostering this mindset will enable NATO to maintain a competitive advantage now and support transformation of the alliance in the future.

2. Background
EWB has been directed to manage the creation and delivery of a wargaming capability within NATO, to include doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, facilities, and interoperability (DOTMLPFI). At the same time, EWB has also been directed to immediately support and deliver discrete wargames to a variety of customers at the operational to strategic levels. While the capability development work strand is a scalable midterm effort on the timeline, the delivery of wargames is an immediate need. While some assistance will come through the careful creation and management of a wargaming network across a variety of organizations within NATO and the NATO member states, EWB will require additional dedicated wargame support to deliver quality wargames to the intended customers. Because of the unique restrictions on adding additional military and civilian personnel structure within NATO, EWB is requesting a firm-fixed-price, level-of-effort contract for a team of professionals to assist EWB in the design, development, management, execution and analysis of the EWB wargaming programme of work.

3. Scope of Work
A. The delivery of successful wargaming events involves several factors that EWB, with the assistance of the wargame support and delivery team, would be responsible for:
1) Project managment. The wargame director is a NATO military or civilian member. This member serves as a project manager who manages all aspects of the wargame from initial concept development through the delivery of final reports, including all events and support products. An assistant wargame director will assist with all elements of project management related to wargame delivery. For large wargames, it will be necessary to coordinate with and manage teams of personnel within the required wargame construct.
2) Event management. Wargames and their associated planning efforts are events that require extensive attention related to facilities, information technology, physical and information security, administration, transportation, and logistics. HQ ACT does not have dedicated facilities or support structures in place for wargaming. Wargames are routinely conducted in Europe, which creates significant demand for infrastructure and logistic support to wargame planning and execution.
3) Wargame design and development. Wargames require the careful design and development of the game in order to accurately support the aim and objectives of the wargame sponsor. Wargame design includes the creation of concepts, rules and core mechanics based on the sponsor’s aim and objectives. Wargame development includes refining, testing, and producing the final wargame products for execution. Support to larger wargaming centres will require the separation of these rolesto support the size and scope of the game.
4) Analysis. Professional wargames are primarily designed to generate insight and analysis; all of the EWB wargames will have research questions or problems to be assessed against a carefully crafted data collection and analysis plan (DCAP) by a coordinated team of analysists. The output of the DCAP includes detailed products and reports for sponsor organizations at the conclusion of the wargame.
5) Scenario development. Wargames require a realistic scenario that supports the wargame’s aim and objectives. EWB-delivered wargames are based on a current or future real-world environment at the high operational to strategic level. Therefore scenario developers must be knowledgeable of NATO’s area of responsibility and interest (AOR and AOI) to include recognized threats across the diplomatic, information, military, and economic (DIME) instruments of power. This will often require coordination with subject matter experts (SME) in a variety of areas to insure that the scenarios are valid and believable. Development of credible “red” or adversary forces, actions, and motivations are included in scenario development and execution of the wargame through effective red cell management.
6) Wargame adjudication and facilitation. Wargame adjudication is conducted in numerous ways, by expert opinion, player consensus, rules based, modelling and simulation (M&S), or a combination of these. Regardless of the method, a dedicated member of the wargame team will manage the adjudication process and the delivery of adjudicated results back to the players. Wargame facilitation is the careful management of players, time, information, and resources necessary to keep the game on-track and meet its objectives. Facilitation activities include knowledge management tasks related to the storage, organization, and access to all of the knowledge necessary for the successful execution of the wargame and include coordination of all wargame team member’s support to wargame facilitation.

B. This contract would be for 6 positions for the areas outlined above, as follows:
1) Project manager/ deputy game director
2) Event manager
3) Wargame designer/developer
4) Wargame analyst and analysis coordinator
5) Scenario designer/ red cell lead
6) Wargame adjudicator.

C. The exact number, scope, and form of each wargame and wargame event each year is unknown and unique to each individual event. EWB anticipates fully and directly supporting 3-4 wargames each year with all of the supporting events required to design and develop each wargame. Additionally, EWB will likely be providing indirect and reinforcing support to other wargaming efforts within NATO as well as providing demonstration wargames to senior individuals within NATO and NATO-member states. Each EWB-supported wargame will require, at a minimum, the following products to be coordinated by the project manager and approved by the game director:
1) A design brief in a format agreed upon by the game director and sponsor.
2) A warame development brief that includes the final agreed upon wargame parameters and rules.
3) A data collection and analysis plan (DCAP).
4) A calling message (formal invitation) and administrative instructions for all hosted events to include the wargame.
5) A final report on the outcomes of the wargame as assessed through the DCAP and other relevant inputs.
6) This list is not exclusive and may require the inputs from all of the team members for various products.

4. Type of Contract and Period of Performance
A. Type of Contract: This is a level-of-effort, firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum limit of 1800 hours per person per calendar year. All employer responsibilities for the contractors performing under this contract shall lie with the contractor company.
B. Period of Performance: The requirement is for a period of January 2023 to 31 December 2023 with 2 option years.
C. Surge capability requirement is included to have a contract vehicle in place should emerging circumstances require a quick and temporary increase in contractor personnel or additional effort from existing personnel (to meet specific requirements). The Contractor Company shall be prepared to provide support services in in the areas described above. Surge effort will not exceed 300 hours annually per contractor (each position). Surge effort shall be billed at the same rate as the base/option year rate.

5. Tasks: As directed by the COTR (within scope) the contractors shall execute the following tasks:
A. Project manager/ deputy game director
1) Coordinate and manage all aspects of wargame support, design, analysis, and execution using industry standard project management methodology.
2) Serve as the deputy game director for all EWBsupported wargames,including coordination with the game sponsors, briefing ACT leadership on the each wargame, and overseeing the execution of each wargame in conjunction with the game director.
3) Serve as member of the wargame facilitation team during wargame execution.
4) Gather requirements, aims, objectives, and other special considerations from the wargame sponsors and accurately incorporate those into the design, development, analysis, and all other aspects of producing the wargame by the wargame support and delivery team.
5) Any other tasks required to support the wargame throughout the process as required by the COTR and wargame director outlined in the scope of work above.

B. Event manager
1) Coordinate, manage, and supervise all administrative, information technology (IT), security, and real life support for all events related to the design, development, and execution of the wargame. This includes, but is not limited to:
a. The actual wargame
b. Wargame planning events
c. Wargame results briefings to sponsors
2) Administrative duties:
a. Registration and tracking of all event participants.
b. Coordination for facility support – this might be government (NATO) facilities or commercial, as required.
c. Development and distribution of event calling messages (official invitations) and administrative instructions
d. Management and update of contact rosters and wargame stakeholder points of contact (POC) lists.
3) Coordinate with facility owners and NCIA for required IT support for wargaming related events to include:
a. Video Teleconference (VTC) support
b. Network support and access as required
c. Workstation delivery and access as required
d. Network security requirements as necessary
4) Security:
a. Coordinate with host facilities for facility access requirements and publish this as part of the administrative instructions
b. Coordinate with host facility owners for network access requirements and publish this as part of the administrative instructions
c. Coordinate with host facilities as required with access rosters for all participants and badging procedures and publish required instructions in the administrative instructions.
5) Real-life support and logistics:
a. If required, coordinate with wargame sponsors for reservation of lodging and event space.
b. If necessary, coordinate for the provision of transportation for event participants from the lodging area(s) to the event location and publish as part of the administrative instructions.
c. As required, arrange for meal service and refreshments at each hosted event including arranging for limited catering or coordinating with facility mess providers for participant access.
d. Arrange for transportation of any equipment or supplies that cannot be hand-carried by the wargaming support team through normal means.
6) Other administrative or logistics support requirements related to the execution of events of supported wargames as directed by the wargame director or COTR.

C. Wargame designer/developer
1) Properly scope the following items with the game sponsor and game directors:
a. Purpose (aim) and theme
b. Game objectives and/or research questions
c. Number of participants and at what level
d. Time constraints
e. Other constraints of the wargame design
2) Conduct research related to wargame design on the following items:
a. Existing games, commercial or professional, that have a similar theme.
b. Existing wargames with relevant designs or mechanics.
c. Key academic or professional writings or doctrine on the wargame theme.
d. Any other relevant research related to proper design of the wargame.
3) Create (or adapt) the core rules and mechanics for the wargame.
4) Create any components or implements required to execute the wargame to include:
a. Maps and game boards.
b. Markers and pieces.
c. Adjudication tools and rules.
d. Any other physical or digital component necessary for game play.
5) Coordinate closely with the analyst, scenario developer, and game director throughout the process to ensure the wargame mechanics and rules will effectively meet the objectives of the sponsor.
6) Playtest and refine the mechanics and rules with at least one full playtest of the wargame prior to execution. Continue to refine as able prior to execution.
7) Prepare and present a detailed design and development brief as required by the game director that covers all of the above elements.
8) Assist with wargame facilitation during event execution as required.
9) Any other design or development related tasks related to the EWB supported wargames as directed by the game director or COTR and within the scope of the contract.

D. Wargame analyst and analysis coordinator
1) Develop (or coordinate with the designated lead analyst) the creation of the Data Collection and Analysis Plan (DCAP). It is essential that this plan be closely coordinated with the wargame and scenario designer from the initiation of the design process and should include the following elements:
a. Overarching issue or problem statement.
b. Issues to be considered by the wargame.
c. Sub-issues and questions to ask related to each issue.
d. Essential elements of analysis for each sub-issue.
e. Measures of merit used to measure these.
f. Detailed schedule of when each element will be collected on during the wargame and from what source.
g. For qualitative data and expert observations, determine the method and frequency for collecting data in respective venues.
h. Determine how the data will generate an analytical report for inclusion in the overall wargame reports in consultation with the wargame director.
2) Using the DCAP, coordinate and manage a suitable number of analysts to collect all relevant data from all of the players. Each distinct wargame player (or side) requires a dedicated analyst.
3) Coordinate and run analyst meetings as required during and after wargame execution. Analyst meetings will occur at least once daily during wargame execution. If an outside analyst is designated as lead analyst for the wargame, assist them in the management of these meetings.
4) Serve as an analyst to collect against the DCAP. Ensure that this does not detract from the other duties as outlined above.
5) Coordinate or produce the final analysis report as required by the DCAP for inclusion in the final wargame report.
6) Any other analysis-related tasks or products related to EWB supported wargames as directed by the game director or COTR and within the scope of the contract.
E. Scenario designer/ red cell lead
1) In close coordination with the game director, wargame designer, and wargame analyst, develop a scenario to achieve all approved aims and objectives of the wargame. Depending on the level of wargame, the scenario may include, but is not limited to the following items:
a. The area of responsibility (AOR) and area of interest for all official player teams.b. All diplomatic, information, military, and economic (DIME) conditions that are relevant to the problem(s) explored in the wargame.
c. The relevant actors with sufficient background to achieve the aim, objectives, and problem/issue exploration within the wargame. This may include detailed orders of battle (OOB) of each side in the game to include non-military actors.
d. A logical lead up (also known as a road to crisis or road to war) that explains the current situation.
e. Guidance for players representing oppositional forces (OPFOR), consistent with current oppositional doctrine and likely courses of action during the wargame.
f. Professional and succinct products to effectively communicate the scenario to the players that may include, but is not limited to:
i. Narratives;
ii. Graphics, to include OOB depictions;
iii. Topographic references.
2) In addition to scenario creation, must be capable of filling one of the following roles during execution:
a. Red cell lead/advisor. Depending on the level of the wargame and the experience of the participants, potentially serve as the red cell lead or as a red cell advisor/facilitator during game execution. Create a realistic and thoughtful depiction of adversary actions.
b. Be prepared to act as part of the adjudication team for any player actions, with a need to determine the effectiveness of player actions based on the scenario.
c. General facilitation to ensure the wargame’s timely execution within the expected parameters for success according to the desired aim and objectives.
3) Provide input to both the DCAP and final reports (as required) with a focus on the effectiveness of player actions when measured against opposition forces or the scenario injects.
4) Any other scenario development-related task or red cell-related tasks as directed by the game director and within the scope of the contract.

F. Wargame adjudicator
1) During wargame execution, the role of the adjudicator may take many different forms, all of which are necessary to determine the results of the player decisions and actions while effectively communicating those results back to the players.
a. For simple seminar and matrix-style games, the adjudicator will serve as the primary arbiter between the different teams and will adjudicate based on agreed-upon standards as determined by the game designer, game director, and game sponsors. This may include the use of simple adjudication methods utilizing dice or other random number-generating methods.b. For larger seminar or matrix-style games that may include an adjudication panel of experts and/or senior leaders, the adjudicator’s job will be to manage these panels and their deliberations to keep the wargame on time and within the agreed upon parameters necessary to meet the wargame’s aim and objectives.
c. For rules-based games or games that are utilizing modelling and simulation (M&S) based adjudication, the adjudicator’s role will be to ensure that player decisions are properly communicated and the results of their decisions are properly communicated in an efficient and effective manner.
2) During the wargame design and development phase, provide expert guidance to the designer and analyst on the suitability of the design decisions to enable proper adjudication. If the wargame is rules-based or partially rules-based, the adjudicator will assist the designer/developer in determining if the rules fairly and accurately determine the results of player decisions (most commercial wargames are rules-based for reference). The adjudicator is expected to assist with the wargame design, development, and testing throughout the process.
3) The adjudicator should provide the analyst and wargame director their observations and feedback as part of the DCAP and final reports. Reports should primarily be focused on insights into player decision-making and the rationale behind the adjudicated results of the players.
4) Other design/development, adjudication, facilitation of analytical tasks as directed by the game director and within the scope of the contract and the expertise of the adjudicator.

Mandatory Requirements:
A. Project manager/ deputy game director
1) Nationality of one of the NATO member countries.
2) A 4-Year University baccalaureate degree in a relevant discipline.
3) Demonstrated coordination and management experience in the past five (5) years preferably within a military environment.
4) Demonstrated experience working in multinational teams.
5) Demonstrated experience in project management to include complex stakeholder management tasks. A project management certification like PMP or its equivalent is preferred.
6) Proven proficiency in oral and written communication.
7) Demonstrated participation in military and/or political wargames. Leadership experience in the wargames is preferred.
8) Understanding of NATO and its unique structure and work environment.
9) NATO Secret Security Clearance or national equivalent.
10) Demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 4444 - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) or equivalent.
11) Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Tool suite and collaborative software.

B. Event manager
1) Nationality of one of the NATO member countries.
2) A 4-Year University baccalaureate degree.
3) Demonstrated professional event coordination and management experience in the past five (5) years for events hosting at least 50 people.
4) Demonstrated experience working in multinational teams.
5) Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management.
6) Proven proficiency in oral and written communication.
7) Demonstrated understanding of all elements of event management to include: facilities, transportation, administrative tasks, security, IT, and logistics.
8) Demonstrated familiarity with the nuances of coordinating events in Europe.
9) NATO Secret Security Clearance or national equivalent.
10) Demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 4444 - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) or equivalent.
11) Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Tool suite and collaborative software.
C. Wargame designer/developer
• Nationality of one of the NATO member countries.
• A 4-year University baccalaureate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in professional wargame design/development in the past five (5) years at the military strategic and operational level and across all elements of Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic (DIME) domains.
• Demonstrated experience in the application of wargaming techniques that address specific analytic problems in the past five to ten (5-10) years.
• Proven track record in the successful delivery of wargaming projects in the past five (5) years.
• Proven proficiency in oral and written communication.
• Demonstrated experience working in multinational teams.
• Familiarity with NATO.
• NATO Secret Security Clearance or national equivalent.
• Demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 4444 - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) or equivalent.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Tool suite and collaborative software as well as Microsoft Vizio.

D. Wargame analyst and analysis coordinator
1) Nationality of one of the NATO member countries.
3) Demonstrated experience in wargame or operational experimentation analysis in the past five (5) years in a military environment that might include all elements of DIME and which includes both quantitative and qualitative analytics.
4) Demonstrated analyst team management experience in the past five to ten (5-10) years.
5) Demonstrated experience in the field of data collection, analysis and assessment and the drafting of data collection plans and wargame reports in the past five (5) years.
6) Demonstrated expertise in preparing and delivering briefings for wargaming audiences on wargame results at the operational and strategic level in past five to ten (5) years.
7) Demonstrated experience working in multinational teams.
8) A sufficient understanding of NATO to make informed qualitative analysis assessments.
9) NATO Secret Security Clearance or national equivalent.
10) Demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 4444 - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) or equivalent.
11) Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Tool suite and collaborative software.

E. Scenario designer/ red cell lead
1) Nationality of one of the NATO member countries.
2) A 4-year University baccalaureate degree in a relevant discipline.
3) Demonstrated ability to conduct research necessary to create realistic scenarios for each wargame to include coordination with relevant experts in all areas required to meet the wargame objectives.
4) Demonstrated experience in scenario design in the past five (5) years within a military setting at the strategic and operational level and across all elements of DIME. This does not need to be specifically wargame related (i.e. exercises, studies, etc.)
5) Demonstrated understanding of anticipated NATO threats and threat actors to include an understanding of current threat assessments and adversary behavioural and doctrinal actions across all DIME areas and across all military domains within the NATO AOR/AOI. This understanding should be deep enough to understand which experts and sources to consult when designing a scenario.
6) Demonstrated experience with OPFOR/ red cell execution.
7) Proven proficiency in oral and written communication.
8) Demonstrated experience working with and managing multinational teams.
9) NATO Secret Security Clearance or national equivalent.
10) Demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 4444 - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) or equivalent.
11) Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Tool suite and collaborative software.

F. Wargame adjudicator.
1) Nationality of one of the NATO member countries.
2) A 4-year University baccalaureate degree.
3) Leadership experience at the OF-3 or equivalent or higher.
4) Demonstrated experience in wargame adjudication and facilitation in the past five (5) years within a military environment at the strategic and operational level.
5) Proven ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Proof of Past Performance
The Contractor must provide a minimum of one (1) past performance citation (for work within the past ten years) that shows successful completion of workrelated to the requirements outlined in this SOW. References may be submitted in lieu of past performance citations. The citations/references shall include the following information at a minimum:
A. Summary of similar work performed or directly related to this SOW in size, scope and value;
B. Status of work (i.e. on-going, complete);
C. Date of work performance;
D. Name of client/reference;
E. Complete contact information for client/reference; and
F. Permission to contact client for reference.

Contract Reporting
A. The Contractor shall submit a monthly report to the COTR and the Contracting Officer, detailing progress on the SOW for the reporting period. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
1) Summary of work (by contractor position) for tasking and deliverables for the reporting period;
2) Contract hours expended showing a comparison with budgeted hours; and
3) Current or anticipated problems/deficiencies and recommended solution.
B. The COTR may amend the reporting requirements to receive alternate and/or additional data and information on a more frequent or less frequent basis, and may request other reports that detail designated aspects of the work or methods to remedy problems and deficiencies. The Contracting Officer shall receive a minimum of a monthly report, regardless of COTR changes. However, note that the report is NOT a deliverable subject to acceptance. The Contractor is expected to work closely with ACT personnel, ACO staff, the user community and SMEs. Consequently, the Contractor is expected to promptly address all identified problems and deficiencies, providing the COTR with written information on how problem shall be corrected and any impact to on-going work.
6) Demonstrated experience in working with and managing multinational teams.
7) Understanding of NATO structure and political environment as relevant to delivering wargame adjudication to a diverse and senior military and political audience.
8) NATO Secret Security Clearance or national equivalent.
9) Demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 4444 - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) or equivalent.
10) Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Tool suite and collaborative software.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Specific information about IPR is articulated in the General Terms and Conditions that support this contract.

Releasability
NATO nations have regulations and laws applying to the export of defence related goods by domestic commercial sources to outside entities (such as NATO). The products or services under this SOW will need to be releasable to entities identified under the statements made with regard to both the IPR and any applicable export control laws (see paragraph Export Control.

Security
A. Personnel Clearances
Contractor personnel shall be responsible for obtaining all needed security clearances prior to starting work at HQ SACT. The Contractor shall have a minimum of a SECRET security clearance as issued by NATO or the respective national Department of Defence (DOD). No clearance or waiver to this requirement shall be granted, and no Contractor shall be assigned without having the needed clearance in place. If the Contractor Company cannot assign personnel with the required SECRET security clearance on the start date, the company shall be liable for bid non-compliance or immediate contract termination. The Contractor Company must provide advance written proof of the ability to assign fully cleared personnel prior to contract award/start. The Contractor Company is fully responsible for arranging all work visas.
B. Security Conditions
The Contractors must adhere to current security conditions at HQ SACT and other work sites such as SHAPE. Contractor personnel shall comply with all local host nation and NATO security provisions and other policies and procedures, as required. The possible security classification of the deliverables under this contract may range from not classified through NATO Secret.
C. Building / Installation Access
The Contractors are fully responsible for ensuring that they have all needed vehicle passes and decals, and individual access badges and documents for appropriate access to the HQ SACT. In the first instance, the Contractor Company shall submit requests for site access to HQ SACT (Attention Security Office), 7857 Blandy Road, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23551-2490.
D. Electronic Devices
All Contractor personnel shall abide by the security restrictions regarding carrying and using electronic devices (e.g., laptops, cell phones) in HQ SACT. The Contractor shall be responsible for satisfying the necessary clearance from the HQ SACT Security Office before bringing any such device into the HQ SACT work environment.
E. Export Control
NATO nations have regulations and laws applying to the export of defence related goods and services originating from domestic commercial sources to foreign entities. Usually under those laws and regulations, NATO is considered a foreign entity. The following requirements of this SOW are provided in order to allow the bidder/contractor the opportunity to assess the applicability of their pertinent national laws and regulations and take action, as required, Ref.: Part One A, Special Terms & Conditions. The services provided under this SOW generically support requirements generation activities. The services will be rendered at a maximum in the following locations: NATO member nations and future NATO member nations. Persons exposed to the services performed under this SOW will be nationals of NATO member nations working for NATO nation governments.

Opportunity closing date

12 November 2022

Value of contract

to be confirmed

The buyer is happy to talk to

manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, agents, consultants